AFCON: CAF Commiserates With Cameroon Over Death Of Fans At Olembe Stampede

By Akinwale Kasali

Confederation of African Football, CAF, President, Patrice Motsepe, has sent  condolences to the Cameroonian President, Paul Biya, over the death of eight fans that were crushed to death following a stampede outside the Olembe Stadium where the Round of 16 clash between the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon and the Coelacanths of Comoros.

Not less than eight people were reportedly crushed to death, and dozens injured.

A video which surfaced on social media showed fans struggling to gain access to the Paul Biya stadium in Yaounde.  The

Governor of Cameroon’s Central Region, Naseri Paul Biya says there may be more casualties.

Another report said a number of children lost consciousness.

The stadium has a capacity of 60,000 but because of COVID-19 restrictions, it was not meant to be about 80 per cent filled.

Match officials were quoted as saying that some 50,000 people were trying to attend.

Nurse Olinga Prudence told AP that some of the injured were in a “desperate condition.”

The Confederation of African Football, CAF said in a statement that it is “currently investigating the situation and trying to get more details on what transpired.”

The round of 16 match between Cameroon and Comoros took place despite the incident and ended with a 2-1 win for the hosts.